《How to Write Stories People Will Love》Question 54: Unexpected love
Advertisement
asks: How do I write an unexpected couple in a book? As in, the readers think she'll end up with the guy she initially likes, but she ends up falling in love with someone else?
Considering how popular it is for a main character to have two love interests, most readers can spot the outcome a mile away. Like with plot twists (See "Question 3: Plot Twists" for a refresher), you first have to lead the reader down a particular path. All the main character's attention is on the expected love interest. But in the background, the actual love interest will be quietly earning his place in her heart. They will have to be very subtle or hidden things, not grand gestures.
There should be a defining moment where she makes her decision. It can be a stressful event where each guy's true colors are shown. Or maybe she discovers all the hidden things that the unexpected guy has been doing. It can't be a flippant decision like choosing an ice cream flavor. She has to have a moment of clarity.
When she chooses the the unexpected person, there must be an explanation. Guide the reader through her reasoning, otherwise the readers are going to be scratching their heads and saying, "Why?? What just happened?" The character should make a mental tally of all the reasons this works better than a relationship with the other guy. Or why the other guy isn't right for her after all. Everything has to click into place. If there's still room for doubt, then the result won't feel very satisfying.
It has to make sense, or the reader isn't going to buy it.
Advertisement
- In Serial15 Chapters
The Angle of Death and other Mathemagical Hazards
A series of tangentially interconnected vignettes featuring typos and puns used as if they were intentional, mostly in a tongue-in-check fashion. Just a fast funny set of quirky mini-tales. Warning. Readers will be pun-ished. Thoroughly. Also may involve math, science, grammar, irrational, whole, imaginary, and other scary words. Reader indiscretion is advised.
8 145 - In Serial331 Chapters
NeoRealm - Staring back into the Future
The only places I have posted the story and allow it to exist are on RoyalRoad, Scribblehub, and my Patreon. Jason has just turned 18 and will be finally be able to play The biggest VR game out there, NeoRealm. Using a bit of knowledge from his past (life) he wants to start his adult life with a bang. Taking the road less traveled will sound quiant compare to where he wants to go. ~NeoRealm~ the most realistic VR game to date. A Fantasy world which even after years of exploration is still mostly unknown. Want to experience the mysteries of the Arcane? Become one of the many types of Magic Users and work to improve your ranking till you can move mountains, or just flatten them if you prefer. Do you just desire to wield sheer physical power? Then train your melee skills beyond all others and decimate towns with a single swing. Or maybe you just want to know what its like to be a cat person. We have those too. Come on in and join us at 5x the speed of boring old reality (you heard us right, not your average everyday 4x time compression!). *WARNING - limited to those age 18 and up, we are not responsible for any minor losing their grasp on reality, sanity, or species
8 134 - In Serial23 Chapters
Filthy
"i'm gonna be out with the girls." i lied. you nodded.why did you believe that? lowercase intendedranking:no. 2 in #poem 02/08/21no. 9 in #poem 04/20/21no. 2 in #poet 05/03/21no. 12 in #poem 06/2/22no. 7 in #poet 07/15/22
8 222 - In Serial10 Chapters
Rainy Days
A long, rolling storm blankets Paris and a certain water fearing Cat curses it endlessly. However he had no way to know that from the very first drop the storm had started to change things.
8 179 - In Serial71 Chapters
Xavier and Nevah
Xavier isn't the happy little boy he used to be. At fourteen he turned to weed and alcohol just like his Abuelo and dad in the past. With bad friends and a siblings that hate the way he is, Xavier doesn't know how to be better. That is until he meets shy, quiet Nevah. His little sisters friend that stutters and blushes from embarrassment when talking. Her innocence pulls Xavier in. He knows what he thinks is wrong, he knows. Yet he can't seem to get the small, 4ft11 girl from his head. Maybe she's the better escape he's been looking for. ~~~~~~~My body held her captive between me and the wall. Both my hands by her head as I stared into her eyes. Never in my life did I think I'd go for a girl younger than me, but she drew me in. Her innocence is holding me captive like my body with her and the wall. Her chest heaved brushing against mine with ever inhale. Her light brown eyes staring into mine, glossed over. My eyes started to blur yet I didn't miss the tears falling down her soft cheeks. A hand of mine reached up making her flinch hard. More tears fell down her cheeks so I lifted my hand more, but slowly and wiped her tears with my thumb. "I will never harm you Nevah. Never." I whispered and pressed a small, soft kiss to her lips before walking away. What have I done? ~~~~~~~~Mature⚠️Please read all story's in order -daddy at fourteen -my dads best friend -Xavier and Nevah
8 127 - In Serial25 Chapters
Harry Potter imagines
A book full of imagines of Harry Potter, enjoy!♥️☺️- feel free to request! [Y/N] is Your Name[Y/L/N] is your last name.[Y/H/C] your hair colour[Y/E/C] your eye colourLove, Lotte
8 161

